We breathed together, deep shaky inhales, for there were no words left to be said.
Augustus leaned in, resting his arms against mine, a mimicry of a hug, all he could do with his hands bound before him.
“THIRD ROUND!” Zeus’s voice boomed, crackling with violence. “FIGHT OR YOU WILL ALL LOSE AND BE BRANDED.” He slammed his scepter down on the stone podium, but the sky shone, clear and blue above. The stormy weather had cleared out.
The moment broke.
I pulled back, stumbling away from my husbands.
This was Sparta. We were Chthonics.
There was no choice—we had to fight.
“Defeat me,” I said, waving the heavy rod through the air. Nyx was still invisibly wrapped around it. “Just do it. Get it over with. I can’t …”
“Stab us both,” Augustus ordered as he straightened.
“Excuse me?” I shook my head. “That’s not—”
Augustus looked down at me with pity. “Youwilldefeat us.”
Kharon nodded.
There was no softness left in either of them. They’d donned their Spartan exteriors, the armor they wore to survive in this brutal world.
I wasn’t looking at my husbands.
The eldest heir to the House of War and the Hunter stood before me, merciless,unyielding.
So this was how it was going to go.
Pulling back my shoulders, I straightened to my full height—matching their postures—the heiress to the House of Hades.
“Make me,” I said.
Augustus shook his head sadly.
“I tried to warn you,” resonated loudly inside of my skull.
Kharon bowed to me, like he was saying goodbye. “I love you.” He turned to Augustus. “Handle this. Like we agreed.”
What is he talking about—
Augustus’s eyes glowed as he held my gaze—Kharon dropped to the sand behind him, boneless.
I cried out.
“He’s just unconscious,” the voice said as Augustus took another step closer, scarlet streaking down his face.
“You’re … inside my head,” I said with dawning horror.
“My powers changed because of our bond.” Augustus’s voice was inside my skull. “I can now … push my thoughts into others.”
I heaved.
“Now, wife, end this. Stab me with your weapon.”
I shook my head. “But … but … Kharon’s scars. He doesn’t deserve any more.”
